The Consortium recently received funding for the Ocean Odyssey Coastliner Program, which provides coastal middle- and high-school educators with direct access to career-related outreach events and resources associated with marine industries. Programmatic efforts are focused to reach Title 1 schools and historically marginalized communities. The Ocean Odyssey Coastliner Program is funded by a grant from NOAA Ocean Exploration and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, and collaborating partners include the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, Horry-Georgetown Technical College, and Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum.
Educators and students have access to free Coastliner Toolkits that are STEM (science-technology-engineering-math)-based, ocean-related, career-focused, and incorporate NOAA resources. Toolkit topics include building a working weather buoy or remotely operated vehicle (ROV), designing a product that could be used in ocean industries, or exploring the engineering mechanics of pulleys. Educators will learn about ocean sciences career opportunities, outreach events, and resources that they can share with their students.
For more information, contact E.V. Bell, Marine Education specialist, at (843) 953-2085.
St. George Middle School students build a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Photo courtesy of E.V. Bell, S.C. Sea Grant Consortium.